Freedom Day | Exploring the Families of Historic Mitchelville

"Freedom Day | Exploring the Families of Historic Mitchelville" is an epic documentary that chronicles the foundations of the Freedom Day holiday as it follows the journey to freedom of the first families of Hilton Head Island as they experienced it, from the past into today. Surrounded by hostile forces that wanted to maintain the institution of slavery, the families were able to become self-sufficient and independent in the Town of Mitchelville, the first self-governed and fully functioning town in the US for freedmen, which was established in 1862, three years prior to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Learn about their daring escapes towards freedom, their loyalty and dedication to the Union Army, as well as their incredible contributions as United States Colored Troop soldiers. As new citizens, the formerly enslaved Gullah established their independence along side all of the famous people who came to Hilton Head Island, including Harriet Tubman and Clara Barton, who among others, were instrumental in helping the Union Army turn the direction of the Civil War towards victory.